The Science of Life

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Ayurveda is contemplated by many scholars to be the oldest ameliorating science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the “Mother of All Healing.”  

Medicine is a very ancient art and drugs have been used in days of antiquity as far back as history can take us. History of medicine is a fascinating subject as it is a saga of man's struggle against disease. As civilization advances and as the disease pattern changes, medical science also changes. Ayurveda is the system of medicine that evolved in India with a rationale logical foundation and it has survived as a distinct entity from remote antiquity to the present day. The fundamentals on which the Ayurvedic system is based are essentially true for all times and do not change.

The word Ayurveda is made up of two components, 'Ayush' meaning life and 'Veda' meaning science, hence Ayurveda is 'Science of life'. The Ayurvedic texts were promulgated by Lord Dhanvantri, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The genesis of Ayurveda is attributed to Atharva Veda, where information regarding diseases and their treatments is mentioned. Later, from the 6th Century BC to 7th Century AD there was systematic development of the science and it is called Samhita or compendium period when several classical works (Sushruta Samhita, Charaka Samhita, etc) were produced by several authors and during this period there is evidence of organized medical care.

Ayurveda has also defined health as the equilibrium that is made up of three biological units (Doshas) and body tissues (Dhatus) and a state of happiness of soul, senses, and mind. These states will certainly lead to social and spritual well-being of an individual. This is very much in conformity with the above definition of health as stated by World Health Organisation. Hence the importance of Ayurvedic treatment is relevant in modern times as well.